LONG AGO STORIES

Taranaki Daily News, 23 February 1935, Page 21 (Supplement)

LONG AGO STORIES

ROBERT GOES TO A PARTY. Robert was very excited when Pierre invited him to a party on the Day of Kings. Pierre’s parents were French, and it was the fashion in France to give parties on what in Englands was called Twelfth Day. This was the day on which the three kings, the wise men of the East, found the Infant Jesus in the manger and presented gifts of gold, frankincense, arid myrrh. Robert found a number of children In the large drawing-room of Pierre’s house, all sitting primly on chairs. On the grand piano there were six golden crowns which interested Robert very much, but everybody was quiet and sedate so he did not like to ask what the crowns were for. It was all very grand. Presently the door opened, and the footman said in a loud voice: "Monsieur Pierre is served!” Then Pierre and his little sister Marie got up and led the children in procession to the dining-room. Pierre’s mother carried the crowns and placed them in the

middle of the table. Robert had never seen so many delicious cakes, but he thought the party was extremely dull Each child was given a cup of chocolate, and, instead of bread and butter. Twelfth Day cake, which was like puff pastry, was handed round. To his surprise, Robert came upon a tiny china doll in his piece, and Marie screamed. “Robert has fl!” “Robert’s the first king!” shouted Pierre. “Crown him, Maman.” To Robert’s horror, a golden paper crown was set on his head and he was told to choose a queen. Feeling most uncomfortable, he chose Marie, and she was crowned and came and sat beside him. To hide his confusion, Robert drank his chocolate —and suddenly the uproar was terrific. “The king drinks!” yelled the children. "The king drinks! The king is shy! The king’s blushing! The kihg’s wiping his mouth! The queen eats! The queen eats!” Robert found that everything he oi Marie did was remarked upon, and he felt really awful till another boy found a tiny doll in his cake, and another king and queen were crowned. . When the three kings and their queens had been crowned, the noise and excitement was so great that Robert and Marie only had time to eat .when the other kings and queens were being shouted at. When-the merry meal was over, they went back, to the drawingroom to dance and continue their re“I shall, give a. king’s party next Twelfth night,” said. Robert. “You and Pierre must come f 6 mine.” “The king speaks! .The king whispers!" shouted the other children.